Stained Glass

The stained glass windows are themed God with Us (Immanuel); they show us a summary of God's work in and through Jesus. There are 6 unique windows and each window has three panels (with a total of 18 panels) - over 50 images that help reveal Immanuel - God with us. Read How They Came to Be to learn about the development and creation of these windows. The dedication service for the completed windows was held on February 14, 1988. Window I: The Nativity

	#1 The Nativity Star: As shown by the artist, there were other stars shining that night also, but none shone as brightly as the star over Bethlehem. It is intended to show the uniqueness of Christ's birth, a revelation that would bring light to all humankind. The Angels: The first announcement of the birth of Jesus came from the angels to some shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem. The angels in this windows may symbolize any of the four appearances of angels in the Nativity accounts: Matthew 1:201-21; Luke 2:8-14; Matthew 2:13; Matthew 2:20.
	#2 The Wise Men: The three crowns are symbolic of the wise men who came from the East, searching for the child who had been born to be King of the Jews. The Shepherds: Three staffs remind us that the birth announcement first came to shepherds. The shepherds carried a long rod with a crook at the upper end. It was used to manage the flock, keep it together, guide it, and defend it. The shepherds of the Nativity are forerunners to Christ, who claimed for himself the role of "Good Shepherd". Wheat Surrounding the Lamb: Wheat, if it is to multiply, must die - here we see a symbol of redemption (John 12:24).
	#3 The Manger: Depicts the Nativity with the Baby Jesus being first cradled in a manger - a place where animals feed. The Donkeys: Today donkeys are known to be stubborn, but this was not so at the time of Jesus. They are described as a beautiful, stately, and friendly animal. Christ rode a donkey into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The Cross Over the Manger: A symbol of the destiny of the Child born as a Servant-King. The artist has chosen to use a Greek cross, which gives color and symmetry. The halo or nimbus over the cross suggests the radiance of Christ. Joseph's Thorn Bush: Below the manger, almost as if to be the base of the manger, is a single bush with a yellow and white flower known as Joseph's Thorn Bush or Glastonbury Bush.

How They Came to Be Window I: The Nativity Window II: Jesus the Teacher Window III: Jesus the Healer Window IV: Jesus the Miracle Worker Window V: Jesus the Prophet Window VI: The Passion